Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has been named the vice chair of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan network of almost 350 mayors focused on addressing climate change at the local level. Dickens will serve alongside Mayor Lauren McLean of Boise, Idaho, who was picked as a co-vice chair. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was named Climate Mayors’ chair.
“We are innovation hubs and the closest level of government to our residents, so we’re really uniquely positioned to implement impactful climate solutions,” Dickens said during a virtual news conference Monday. In his three-plus years in office, Dickens has taken several steps to advance climate initiatives in Atlanta. He established a stand-alone office for sustainability and appointed Chandra Farley as the new Chief Sustainability Officer.
Dickens also relaunched a Clean Energy Advisory Board to make policy recommendations to the mayor’s office. Under his leadership, Atlanta aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of electricity from renewable sources. The city’s goals include slashing overall emissions by 40% by 2030 and securing 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources.
Atlanta mayor’s climate initiative
Some of the mayor’s other climate-related aims have not yet been achieved. Atlanta is home to a significant urban canopy, but several studies have found that it is shrinking.
Mayor Dickens believes a new ordinance is needed to “safeguard our city’s greenery and ensure that we maintain our status as the ‘City in the Forest.'” The City Council has been working on such legislation, but a full rewrite has not reached the finish line. On Monday, Dickens said his climate priorities going forward include improving access to electric vehicle chargers, helping homes and businesses install solar panels, and weatherizing the homes of low-income residents. Dickens’ ascent to a leadership role in the consortium comes as the federal government is expected to shift its stance on climate change.
With incoming President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, there is uncertainty about federal support for climate initiatives. This shift could make the actions of cities and mayors even more crucial. On Monday, both Dickens and Gallego expressed confidence that they can continue to make progress in reducing their cities’ climate footprint, even without White House support.
“I’ve heard from many stakeholders on the business, philanthropic, and university side who want to work with cities and think we are the good news branch of government on climate change,” Gallego said. “So, I’m very optimistic we’ll continue to make progress.”
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